This variable is available only MARS, AACore and LATC and participants self-identifying as Hispanic/Latino of MAP (sMAP). The Study Operations team determined the mPNES did not apply to the living situations of other MAP participants, most of whom live in large retirement communities.

The Community Cohesiveness subscale is a subscale of the mPNES (i.e., the modified Perceptions of Neighborhood Environments Scale) derived from a Principle Component Analysis of all mPNES items for all participants with at first valid mPNES. The subscale is assessed using 6 self-report questions about relationships with neighbors and neighborhood aesthetic conditions. Instructions for the mPNES defined a neighborhood as “the area within about a 20-min walk (or about a mile) from your house.” Participants are asked to respond to each question using a 5-point rating scale. Values are reverse coded as relevant (see table below) so that a higher score indicates higher neighborhood perceptions. The total score ranges from 6 to 30 and is the average sum of the individual items; at least 3 items must be available to calculate this variable.

Participants are asked the following questions:

1. In my neighborhood the buildings and homes are well-maintained.
2. My neighborhood is attractive.
3. It is pleasant to walk in my neighborhood.
4. People around here are willing to help their neighbors.
5. People in my neighborhood generally get along with each other.
6. People in my neighborhood can be trusted.

Note: In previous research, this subscale metric has been shown to have adequate psychometric properties including a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86.